The state of Delaware provides several veteran benefits. This page explains them.
Delaware State Veterans Home
The Delaware Veterans Home in Milford is open to veterans who were Delaware residents for at least one year prior to application, served at least 180 days on active duty, were Reserve/Guard members eligible for retirement pay at 60, and require a nursing home level of care.
Delaware Veteran Financial Benefits
Pension Benefits for Paraplegic Veterans
A paraplegic veteran can receive a pension from the state of $3,000 per year. The veteran must file evidence that they are paraplegic and fully disabled and the disability is a direct result of their wartime military service.
Income Tax
Up to $12,500 of military retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax-free (full amount was extended to individuals under age 60 in 2022).
Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit
Permanently disabled veterans who have been Delaware residents for at least three years may be exempt from the school tax portion of their property tax bill.
Delaware Veteran Employment Benefits
State Employment Veterans Preference
When applying for state jobs, an additional 10 points are given to disabled veterans and five points given to all other eligible veterans. Any preference points for which a veteran would qualify may be claimed by his or her unmarried widow, widower, spouse of a member of the armed forces who is POW or MIA, or spouse of a veteran who is totally disabled.
License and Permits for Military Spouses
Military spouses relocating to Delaware are given a six-month temporary occupational license. The temporary license will allow the spouse to obtain employment in their discipline, pending application for endorsement or reciprocity.
Delaware Veteran Education Benefits
Children of Deceased Veterans
Children of military members killed while on active duty or who died from disease, wounds, injuries or disabilities arising or resulting from performance of duty as well as children of POW/MIA members are eligible for up to four years of free college. The college need not be in the state of Delaware.
The child must be between ages 16 to 24 and a resident of Delaware for at least three years prior to the date of application.
Delaware National Guard Tuition Assistance
The assistance amounts to up to 100% of tuition at a state college/university or average of in-state tuition at private college or university in Delaware.
Delaware Veteran Recreation Benefits
State Park Admission
Any active-duty member or veteran with an honorable discharge, including members of the Delaware National Guard who live in the state and own a motor vehicle registered in Delaware, gets a 50% discount on the annual fee for vehicle entrance to state parks and recreational areas.
Hunting, Trapping and Fishing License for Active-Duty Military
Active-duty members stationed in Delaware pay the resident rate for a license.
Hunting, Trapping, and Fishing License for Disabled Veterans
Veterans with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability rating of 60% can get a free license.
Delaware State Veterans Cemeteries
There are two state veterans cemeteries. They are in Bear and Millsboro.
Eligibility for burial is generally similar to burial requirements for a National Veterans Cemetery and include a residency requirement.
Visit the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs website for more information about any of these programs.
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